feel

1 of 2

verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

a

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2

a

: to undergo passive experience of

continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b

: to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by

felt the insult deeply

3

: to ascertain by cautious trial

—usually used with out

feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4

a

: to be aware of by instinct or inference

feel trouble brewing

b

: believe, think

say what you really feel

5

US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels

Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.

—Scott Sugarman

When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?

—Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1

a

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

She felt in her purse for her keys.

2

a

: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition

I feel sick.

b

: to have a marked sentiment or opinion

feels strongly about it

3

: seem

it feels like spring today

4

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

feel

2 of 2

noun

1

: sensation, feeling

2

: the sense of touch

3

a

: the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b

: typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere

also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

Phrases

feel like

: to have an inclination for

feel like a walk?

Synonyms

Verb

• perceive
• scent
• see
• sense
• smell
• taste

Noun

• feeling
• sensation
• sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

I could feel the warmth of the sun.

I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Do you feel a draft?

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather

Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique.

He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

If you’re retired, those market swings can feel even more personal. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

The film often feels like a mazy tapestry of moods and situations, rather than a traditional narrative. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025

Noun

As thousands of families poured into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the University of Southern California’s main-stage commencement on Thursday night, the scene had the feel of the usual collegiate event held there: a football game. —Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

The square back is timeless, and the oversized, curved, and rolled arms give it a delicate feel that balances out the sharper lines of the back. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing feel

• by feel
• check/take/feel someone's pulse
• cop a feel
• feel bad
• feel compelled
• feel constrained
• feel cruddy
• feel crummy
• feel for
• feel free
• feel-good
• feel left out
• feel like oneself
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• feel lousy
• feel no pain
• feel one's age
• feel one's best
• feel one's ears burning
• feel one's oats
• feel one's way
• feel out
• feel sick
• feel someone's pain
• feel sorry for oneself
• feel strongly
• feel the heat/cold
• feel the need
• feel the pinch
• feel up
• know/feel in one's bones
• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• make someone feel (right) at home

Rhymes for feel

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feil
• heal
• heel
• keel
• kneel

Kids Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

1

a

: to sense through direct contact

especially : touch entry 1 sense 1

b

: to examine or test by touching : handle

2

a

: experience entry 2

b

: to suffer from

3

: to discover by trying carefully

—often used with out

4

a

: to be aware of

feel trouble brewing

b

: to be conscious of a physical or mental state

feel happy

feel sick

c

: believe sense 5, think

5

: to search for something with the fingers

6

: to seem especially to the touch

feels rough

7

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the sense of touch

2

: sensation sense 1c, feeling

3

: the quality of a thing as indicated through touch

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

a feel for languages

Medical Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfē(ə)l 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

felt the compress to see if it was wet

2

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

2

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the perception of physical sensations

especially : the sense of touch

2

: sensation, feeling